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Tuesday, November 16, 2004

The Declaration of Wondrous Works

“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” (Psalm 75:1)

As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, it seems quite appropriate to stop and consider the wondrous works of the Lord. The Bible has much to say about signs and wonders. The early Church cried out to God for boldness, and that He would grant signs and wonders in the name of His “holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30).

The nature of signs is that they direct our attention. The nature of wonders is that they cause us to stand in awe. In the Bible, signs and wonders point us to the same thing — the name of the LORD.

Names are very important. They reveal the nature and character of the one who is named. The Hebrew name for Jesus is yeshua, the word for “salvation.” It includes deliverance, healing, restoration, even prosperity. In other words, however you need to be saved, it can be found in the name of Jesus. When we know the name of Jesus, we are then in a position to receive who He is and what is contained in His name.

Names are very powerful. They carry authority. Jesus taught us, when we pray, to ask the Father in Jesus’ name. This is not about some little formality we go through, tacking “In Jesus’ name” on at the end of our prayers. That would be treating the name of Jesus as a matter of magic, not of faith.

Praying in Jesus’ name is a matter of authority, the authority of Jesus. When we pray in His name, which means to ask as He would ask, it is just as if Jesus Himself is praying to the Father. Jesus promised that such prayers will be answered, for the Father will not deny the Son.

Back to signs and wonders, then. Signs and wonders direct our attention to the name of the Lord. What is more, they reveal that He is present, for where His name is, there He is also. Signs and wonders show that He is close enough to touch, if we would simply reach out in faith, for the Bible says, “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

No wonder the early Christians called for signs and wonders, not to be satiated with the sensational, but that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ be exalted, and that many would turn to Him and be saved.

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks to You. For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. Amen.

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